We know milk builds strong bones. But did you know that the herbs from your garden do as well?
That’s right, the seasoning you toss on your favorite salad may just be the antidote for better bone health.
If you’re looking for natural ways to help promote healthy bones, read along as we describe the top 13 herbs for maintaining healthy bones — as well as other facts about healthy living.
Common bone conditions (who’s most at risk)
If you’re lucky enough to live a life of health and vitality, you’ll never have to worry about brittle bones or creaky joints. Bone conditions plague more than 54 million people in the United States alone.
Many bone conditions result from bones that are weak, brittle, or prone to fractures. Older women and men 50 years and older are most likely to come down with this condition.
Risk factors for contracting bone conditions include:
- Body size
- Ethnicity
- Diet
- Family history
- Certain medications
- Changes in hormones (low estrogen for women and low testosterone for men)
- A history of inactivity and lack of exercise
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
While certain prescription medications can help treat bone conditions they can also cause many unwanted side effects.
In recent days, people have been taking a more keen interest in natural living. Many older adults are now turning to remedies — like herbs and herb-based products — as complements and supplements to help manage the symptoms of many bone conditions.
If you’re wondering how herbal remedies can help you manage your bone conditions, you’ll love the following herbs for bone health and wellness.
13 Go-to herbs to promote bone health
The best herbs to support strong, healthy bones, ligaments, and tissues are:
- Basil
- Chamomile
- Dandelion
- Ginger
- Gotu kola
- Horsetail
- Lemongrass
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Red sage
- Red clover
- Thyme
- Turmeric
Research shows that the above herbs can help protect bones and other key body parts needed for optimal health. But did you know that the below herbs can help with bone and other general-health-related conditions?
Most of these herbs can be cooked, taken as a supplement in pill, powder, or tea form, or crushed and sprinkled on a favorite dish.
Basil
Fresh, slightly citric, and a little sweet, basil is a go-to herb for delicious dishes like pesto pasta and lemon-infused chicken. Basil helps ease inflammation and can help fight off infection.
This medicinal plant may provide much needed nutrients needed to help heal the body with a variety of conditions. Consider asking your natural medicinal practitioner if consuming basil can be one of a number of natural treatments to help protect your bones and joints.
Chamomile
You’ve likely heard of this bone-strengthening and soothing herb from sleepy-time teas and tinctures. But did you know that this antibacterial herb can also help prevent gradual bone loss?
One of the many symptoms associated with bone conditions is gradual bone loss and joint pain. Chamomile helps curb the worst symptoms of bone-related conditions, as chamomile includes bone-healthy flavonoids that help relieve many of the symptoms — like joint pain — associated with bone conditions.
Try chamomile in a cozy cup of calming tea — or in pill or tincture form if you’re on the go. Whichever way you decide to go, chamomile is a great addition for your health management plan.
Dandelion
Like chamomile, dandelion helps the body grow and also helps strengthen bones. Packed with healthy calcium and silicone — two essential vitamins and minerals for restoring the health and vitality of bones — dandelion can help with maintaining and repairing connective tissue around bones.
This everyday herb can be packaged in capsule or tea form, but can also just as easily be mixed into a green-leaf salad or used as a garnish on pizza. In short, this wonderful herb that can help improve the health of your bones.
Ginger
This anti-inflammatory agent can help with the proliferation of symptoms associated with many different ailments. As it relates to bone fractures and bone strength, ginger — when mixed with other key herbs — can help relieve discomfort from some of the worst symptoms of many bone conditions.
Gotu kola
This cup-shaped leaf comes from Sri Lanka. In the Sri Lankan Singhalese language, gotu kola translates to “green leaves.”
Nowadays, we tend to find this herb in teas, capsules, and tinctures. These beautiful leaves help improve the health of cartilage and ligaments that connect to bones.
Since damaged cartilage and ligaments can cause undue stress on bones, it’s helpful to take supplements that support bone, tissue, and cartilage. Doing so can help boost healthy bone functioning.
Horsetail
This huge perennial plant works wonders for bones. It's found all over the world, Plus, its scientific species name — equisetum arvense — makes you feel like you're taking a magical trip back in time.
Horsetail can be traced back to ancient Rome and Greece, where the herb was once used to treat wounds, tuberculosis, and kidney issues.
From Europe to Asia, to the Middle East, and even North America, people use horsetail because it’s packed with antioxidants and includes silica, a compound that can help improve calcium levels and increase bone growth.
Horsetail may also help maintain connective tissues and ligaments. As with all the herbs on our list, make sure to consult with your healthcare and wellness professional to determine if these herbs match your lifestyle and fit the bill for your health needs.
Lemongrass
Rich in flavonoids which can help prevent bone loss, lemongrass can help people build and maintain strong bones.
This herb is packed with calcium and is often mixed with a concoction of other herbs used to reduce stress and support the immune system. Try lemongrass in tea, as a seasoning, or in capsule form to reap the benefits of this fragrant and citrusy herb.
Oregano
This earthy and musty herb can help with oxidative stress resulting from bone-related conditions. Oregano contains bone-healthy flavonoids which are crucial for maintaining the health and vitality of your bones.
This herb also contains vitamins — like vitamin K and calcium — which offer therapeutic value to those living with bone-related conditions.
Parsley
Parsley is packed with carotene, vitamins, and minerals to help build strong, healthy bones. In conjunction with other treatments, parsley can help patients living with bone conditions.
Plus, parsley is fairly accessible in most grocery stores, making it a convenient and logical choice for promoting bone health.
The next time you find yourself garnishing your meal with an after-dinner breath freshener, know that you’re also strengthening your bones at the same time.
Red Sage
Another famous herb used to help manage symptoms of bone conditions includes red sage (also called danshen). Historically, it was used in Chinese medicine for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
In recent days, danshen has been touted as a helpful treatment for promoting bone growth and for reducing free radicals. Furthermore, this herb contains vitamin K, calcium’s best friend and bone-strengthening sidekick.
Often consumed as an extract or in tea, this bitter-tasting tea is anything but for your body and your bones.
Red Clover
This legume-family-based herb has historically been used as a complementary treatment for a variety of conditions and symptoms. Consuming red clover may also be beneficial for managing symptoms associated with various other bone-related diseases and conditions.
Known for its floral scent and vanilla-like flavor palette, red clover can be used as an ingredient in herbal teas, tinctures, extracts, and pills— and even as a topical treatment on your skin.
Thyme
If we only had more of it — thyme, that is. Native to the Mediterranean, this small, low-growing shrub is most commonly found and prepared in tandem with savory dishes using rosemary and sage.
But did you know thyme can also be used to enhance your overall health and immune functioning and can also help with respiratory-, nerve-, and heart-related conditions?
Moderate and regular consumption of thyme can help bones heal. Try a bit of this sprinkled on your next favorite meal.
Turmeric
This all-star herb belonging native to South Asia has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, turmeric has been used to treat everything under the sun.
Whether its helping the body respond to inflammation or adding helpful nutrients to the body, millions of people worldwide have turned to this excellent herb to help them regulate digestion and improve bone and muscle health.
Just be mindful to consume this herb in moderation, as excessive consumption may cause irritation to the body’s systems. Ask your natural medicine health practitioner if including this all-star herb in your diet can help to strengthen weak bones for all your bone growth and repair needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The five medicinal herbs — chamomile, dandelion, horsetail, gotu kola, and lemongrass — include antioxidant properties that work wonders for tender and weak bones.
As we wrap up our article, we hope the following frequently asked questions regarding bone health and the five medicinal herbs above will help clarify the next steps on your journey toward better bone health.
What are other ways to support my bones and joints?
Appropriate exercise and consuming herb-based decoctions and teas can help support bones and joints. You can also support bone and joint health by eating a diet rich in herbs that support joints, that are high in vitamins and minerals like calcium and zinc, and that promote bone growth.
What are common risk factors for contracting bone conditions?
While anyone at any age can be diagnosed with a bone condition, adults 50 years and older are most at risk.
How else can I maintain healthy bones?
We recommend reaching out to your trusted natural medicinal practitioner or preferred specialist, as every person is different. Herbal supplements that are packed with vitamins like calcium and silicon are great start.
Many of our customers have found that Herbal Bone & Joint Support has resulted in less pain, more motion in joints, and more energy for daily living.
Better bone health is just an herb away
If you’re in doubt about how herbs can help help your skeletal system thrive — bones, joints, ligaments, cartilage, and all — consider reaching out to an herbalist or naturopathic practitioner to learn more.
We’re also just a click away if you need anything. Our team of dedicated herbal specialists has more than 20 years of experience crafting and providing top-of-the-line herbal supplements for people just like you.
We’d be happy to talk you through how to make the most of your herbal supplements so that bone and joint pain won’t inhibit you from living your best life.
If you’re looking for better bone strength right away or are just exploring your options for better living, don’t hesitate to contact our better-care herbal specialists today.
